US and Saudi Arabia: A Common Enemy

Support for the Revolt in Syria as a “Tit-for-Tat” Response

Saudi Arabia seems to deprive itself fully from the discussion that goes on in other parts of the Arabian world. Questions about identity and participation, which bear the name of the ruling family, are not officially asked in the Kingdom. Over the weekend, the next son of the state founder, Ibn Saud, was installed as Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz.

Also Saudi Arabia’s secretary of the interior, Prince Nayef is considered to be the one who, in March, led the intervention of Saudi Arabia in Bahrain: The revolt inspired by the Arab Spring was quelled and the Crown Prince called to order those who voiced loud calls for reform.

For these countries, it is the United States that supports the revolts in the Mediterranean, and these nations will become more dependent than ever on the U.S. when the American government pulls out of Iraq at the end of the year. According to the New York Times, plans are being feverishly made concerning how and where the military presence can be increased on the Arabian side of the Persian Gulf to make up for U.S.’ withdrawal from Iraq. The U.S. hopes this will fall upon open ears in the situation: The Arabian Gulf States are very worried, in light of Iran’s gift of strategy in the region, concerning how its influence in Iraq will further spread.

The U.S. and Saudi Arabia have, however, launched a tit-for-tat response: Support of the uprising in Syria. Because of this, not only should Bashar al-Assad fall there, but Iran will also be forced back into the Levant.